List of British Columbia by-elections

A by-election occurs whenever there is a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly. Vacancies can occur for the following reasons:

• Death of a member^[1] – as of August 2026^[update], the last sitting MLA to die in office was Joan Phillip in 2026. In addition, elected MLAs sometimes die before taking their seats. The last time this happened was in 1924 when John McKie died before the first session.^[2]
• Resignation of a member^[1]
• Recall of a member^[1] – this has never happened. However, former MLA Paul Reitsma was unofficially recalled because he resigned just as a recall attempt nearly succeeded.^[3]
• Voided results – the last time a by-election took place for this reason was in 1904.^[4] As of August 2026^[update], the last election that came close to being voided was in 1963.^[5]
• Expulsion from the legislature^[1]
• Ineligibility to sit^[1]
• Winning in more than one district during a general election – the last time that happened was in 1921.^[6] It has been forbidden to run in multiple districts since 1940.^[7]
• A riding being established during a parliament – the only time a by-election took place because of this was in early 1934, in Columbia.^[8]
• Ministerial by-election – until the 1930s, an MLA's seat was declared vacant and the occupant was required to re-offer upon being appointed to Cabinet. Such by-elections often resulted in the incumbent being acclaimed.

When there is a vacancy, a by-election must be called within six months of the chief electoral officer learning of it. The only exception is when a member has been recalled. In that case, a by-election must be held with 90 days.^[1]

* Reitsma is a former Liberal.^[9]

* Dueck is a former Socred.^[10]

Until 2011, the last by-election won by a governing party was the Kamloops by-election. During the 30 years between this parliament and 2011, the governing parties lost seventeen consecutive by-elections.

There were no by-elections.

There were no by-elections.

Douglas Jung of the Progressive Conservative Party runs in the Vancouver Centre by-election, the first time any Chinese Canadian had run for a seat in a Canadian legislature.^[11]

These by-elections are held under the alternative vote system, the only two times (as of March 2008) by-elections had been held using that voting system.^[12] After the next general election, the voting system would revert to first past the post in time for the next by-election.^[11]

The Columbia by-election is notable for two reasons. First, it is the only one (as of March 2008) held due to a district being created during a parliament;^[8] Second, it is the last time (as of March 2008) a candidate won through acclamation.^[13]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[8]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[14]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[6]

The Vancouver City by-election was won by Mary Ellen Smith. She is the first woman to run and be elected in a provincial-level election, which was also the first one where women could vote.^[15]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[15]

~ 'Independent people's candidate', also endorsed by the Liberal Party.^[15]

* Endorsed by the United Mineworkers of America and "organized labour generally".^[15]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[16]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[17]

The August 16 by-election in the district of Lillooet is the last time a by-election had been held due to a voided result, as of March 2008.^[4] The November 18, 1903 by-election in Vancouver City is the first by-election held^[4] since political parties were introduced to the province.^[13]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[4]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[18]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[19]

* Result was voided.^[20]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[20]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[21]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[22]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[23]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[24]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[25]

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.^[26]

• List of federal by-elections in Canada